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Article Title: The Saga of the First Nebraska in the Philippines Full Citation: J R Johnson, “The Saga of the First Nebraska in the Philippines,” Nebraska History 30 (1949): 139-162 URL of article: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/history/full-text/NH1949FirstNebr.pdf

Date: 1/17/2017 Article Summary: A spirited regiment of young Nebraska volunteers departed for the Philippines in 1898 as part of a U.S. intervention in Cuba. Their leader, John Stotsenburg, succeeded in transforming a poorly trained outfit into a fighting unit, but some soldiers complained that his discipline had been too rigorous.

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Cataloging Information:

Names: John P Bratt, John F Stotsenburg, George Dewey, Francis V Greene, Silas Holcomb, Emilio Aguinaldo, Arthur MacArthur Jr, George P Colton, Wesley Merritt, Harry B Mulford Place Names: Camp Saunders (Lincoln, Nebraska); Camp Merritt (San Francisco, California); Camp Dewey (Manila), Santa Mesa, San Fernando and Malolos, the Philippines Keywords: John P Bratt, John F Stotsenburg, Senator, Hancock, “Stotsenburg Case,” Photographs / Images: John F Stotsenburg

The Saga of the First Nebraska in the Philippines1

By J. R. Johnson

0 N April 20, 1898, President McKinley signed a joint resolution of Congress calling for intervention in Cu­

ba. An act of Congress of April 25 declared that war with Spain had existed since April 21.2 The country was in a mood for war. The build-up had been in the making for quite some time. Yet, except for the Navy, we were totally unprepared. Luckily, our enemy was in worse condition. The "yellow press" screamed for war. Preachers preached and prayed for war. Big Navy men thumped for war­wanted to try out their new battle-wagons. Sugar inter­ests demanded action to stabilize conditions in Cuba. Women's clubs worried over the poor Cubans. The piti­ful stories relating the atrocities of the bloodthirsty, cut­throat Spaniards pulled heavily at American heartstrings. We must go to the rescue of these helpless, downtrodden, next-door neighb01~s who were struggling for liberty. Hu-:­manitarianism demanded it. The Hearst Press demanded it. W. J. Bryan demanded it. "Remember the Maine" was the battle-cry. "Butcher" Weyler's bloody acts must be avenged. The Crusade was on.3

This is a narrative relating the exploits of a regi­ment of young Nebraska volunteers who participated in this Crusade, but, contrary to expectations, their travels carried them westward rather than to the "Pearl of the

lJohn Reuben Johnson, "Nebraska in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection: A Study in Imperialism" (Doc­toral Dissertation, University of Nebraska Library), pp. 1-30, 49-128, 244, 268, is the principal source of this article.

2House Document No. 2, 55 Congress, 3rd Session, 258-259. 3Thomas A. Bailey, A Diplomatic History of the American

People (New York, 1940), pp. 494-510; Walter Millis, The Martial Spirit (Cambridge, 1931), pp. 1-145; Marcus M. Wilkerson, Public Opinion and the Spanish-American War (Baton Rouge, 1932).

[139]

140 NEBRASKA HISTORY

Antilles." Destination Philippines, not Cuba, was cut out for them. This was a new generation, eager to emu­late the heroics of the G. A. R. How often they had lis­tened to the glorious accounts of the Civil War. The seamy side of that war was all but forgotten. We had beaten down the Cleveland depression and McKinley pros­perity was on the way. The "Gay Nineties" had arrived. America was singing. "Ta Ra Ra Boom-De-Ay," "The Bowery," "Sidewalks of New York," "Just Because She Made them Goo Goo Eyes," "The Band Played On," "Sweet Rosie O'Grady," and "Mandy Lee," were hit tunes of the day. "A Hot Time in the Old Town" made its appear­ance in 1897 and was soon on everyone's lips and 1898 brought such sentimental favorites as "Just One Girl," "Just as the Sun Went Down," and "Good Bye, Little Girl, Good Bye." Few seemed to realize that a war would entail any extraordinary effort or sacrifice on our part. The diplomats had done a reasonably good job and seemed to be coming to an understanding with Spain. McKinley was no war monger but he could not stem the tide. The propagandists were doing their drum-beating effectively. The cry, "On to Cuba," would not be stilled. Nebraska, like all other sections, took up the chant.4

The Nebraska National Guard consisted of two regi­ments of infantry, one troop of cavalry and a battery of artillery. Sensing the probability of war, Governor Silas Holcomb called the principal officers of these units into a conference, April 6. Following this meeting he wired President McKinley offering the State's organized mili­tary forces on short notice. The answer came, April 23, placing Nebraska's quota at two regiments of infantry. The Governor immediately ordered the First and Second regiments to mobilize in Lincoln.5 The response in the

4Nebraska State Journal (Lincoln), April 27, 1898; Lincolm Evening News, March 26, 29, 30, April 1, 12, 13, 14, 18, 1898; Omaha World Herald, May 23, July 17, 1898; McCook Republican, March 25, April 1, 1898; Woman's Weekly (Omaha, Nebraska), March 26, April 2, 1898; John D. Hicks, The American Nation (Cambridge, 1941), pp. 307-313.

'-Re:;-oTt of the Adjutant General of Nebraska, 1897-1898, pp. 5-8.

FIRST NEBRASKA IN THE PHILIPPINES 141

Guard towns was immediate and the home folks went "all out" in raising funds to give the boys send-off gifts. Patriotic meetings, banquets and farewell demonstrations, at which Civil War veterans held the limelight, were uni­versal. 6 The numerical quota was 2,114 and two regiments of about 65 men per company were insufficient. Also, 487 were discharged because of physical disability or on their own application. It was, therefore, necessary to recruit additional members to bring each company up to full war-time strength of 106.7 No difficulty was encoun­tered in doing this and university students, especially, joined eagerly. The problem was not in securing enlist­ments but in preventing them until the proper time. Chan­cellor George E. MacLean of the University of Nebraska, arranged for the granting of degrees to enlisted seniors. Undergraduates were urged to wait until the close of school to enlist, but this advice was not always heeded. One university professor, Morey Hodgman, who in a chapel talk, condemned the war as "unchristian and unholy," was taken to task editorially and his ouster from the faculty demanded.8

It was an enthusiastic congregation that assembled in Lincoln and took up quarters at the Fair Grounds, a camp christened Camp Saunders in honor of Nebraska's Civil War governor. There was great activity here during the three week encampment. Visitors made life miserable for camp officers. An account in a Lincoln paper runs as follows:

The camp is simply overrun with visitors. They come in every way imaginable. The traction company is running cars every fifteen minutes. The roads are black with cyclists and all kinds of vehicles. The visitors drive their teams in every place, having no regard whatever for company streets unless guarded by a picket.9

6£incoln Evening News, April 22, 23, 1898; Nebraska State Journal, April 26-28, 1898.

7Report of the Adjutant General of Nebraska, 189G-1898, pp. 5-8. 94; Annual Reports of the War Department, 1899, Report, Major General Commanding the Army, Part II, p. 364.

BLincoln Evening News, April 23, May 7, 1898; Nebraska State Journal, April 29, May 6, 1898; The Sombrero (Lincoln, 1900), V, 195-202, VI, 152; W. H. Haywar,d (Captain, Go. C, 2nd Nebr. Regt.), Letter, April 7, 1933, to the writer.

9Nebraska State Journal, April 26-28, 1898.

142 NEBRASKA HISTORY

The commanding officer, Colonel John P. Bratt, was an ex-hardware merchant from Bennett, Nebraska. He was a soft-spoken and kindly gentleman but had few of the attributes of a professional soldier.10 The man des­tined to make the First Nebraska into a real fighting force was Major John F. Stotsenburg. A native of Indi­ana and a regular army officer, he had had much experi­ence as an Indian fighter. At the outbreak of the war he was commandant of the university cadets.11 A man with an established military reputation, he was disliked by many of the men during the earlier period of the regiment's service. The guardsmen, accustomed to having a hand in the selection of officer personnel, considered Stotsenburg a martinet who should have been assigned elsewhere. This dislike changed to deep respect at a later date when his real qualities as a leader became better known.

Probably the most colorful event at Camp Saunders was a big parade held Saturday afternoon, May 7, which included both regiments and the university cadets.

It is estimated that 25,000 people witnessed! the dress parade in the evening and fully eight thousand people entered Lincoln on excursion trains. Streets of the city were crowded. Hotels and restaurants were virtually eaten out of provisions at noon ... Streets of the city were impassable, o.wing to the crush. Carriages surrounded the outer edges and people filled the camp until the white tents and dark forms wedged in the streets alone could be seen from a distance. When the troops entered the parade grounds there was hardly room for the evolutions of the regiments. The amphitheatre was filled with spectators, the quarter stretch was packed. Car­riages occupied the race course and the side of a hill where a good view was afforded.12

Governor Holcomb received a wire from the Secre­tary of War on May 8 stating that the first regiment to be fully equipped and ready was to be sent to Chicka-

lOinterview, Frank D. Eager (Lieut. Col., 1st Nebr. Regt.), June 30, 1927; Nebraska State Journal, April 29, 1898.

llThe Sombrero, V, 203; J. Sterling Morton and Albert Wat­kins. p;~tOTJJ of Nebraska (Lincol.n, 1902-1913), III, 630, 631.

12Nebraska State Journal, May 8, 9, 1898; Lincoln Evening News, May 7, 1898; Report of the Adjutant General of Nebraska, 1897-1898, p. 48.

FIRST NEBRASKA IN THE PHILIPPINES 143

mauga Park, Georgia, and he replied that the First Regi­ment would be ready May 11. The next day brought an­other message saying that "owing to changed conditions the destination of troops your state changed to San Fran­cisco."13 Holcomb wanted both units sent together and charges of favoritism were made that the First had pulled wires to get the initial call.14 Claims were also made that certain officers were transferred or rejected without suf­ficient reasons. Evidence seems to bear out the latter.15

Both regiments were formally mustered into the ser­vice of the United States, May 12; the First entrained for San Francisco, May 16,16 the Second for Chickamauga Park, May 19.17 Three tra1ns carried the First and a rather pleasant journey was made westward. Noisy re­ceptions were given it along the way, especially in Nebraska.

Everywhere along the line the boys were greeted with utmost enthusiasm. Farmers stopped their plowing and wildly waved, women and girls stood in farm doors and fluttered handkerchiefs and aprons, the country schools turned out to a kidlet and jubilantly demonstrated their patriotism. In all the towns along the way the people turned out and lined the track, waving flags and cheering with all their lung power, assisted by brass bands and drum corps.18

The Nebraskans were the first volunteers to cross the Rockies and the first to reach San Francisco. They came to boast that they were the first in a number of ways.1o

A poor selection had been made in a camp site, a statement that may well be applied to most of the camps

13Nebraska State Journal, May 9, 10, 1898. 14Jnterviews: H. J. Paul (Adjutant General Nebr.), August

2, 1938; John F. Grau (2nd Lt., Co. E., 2nd Nebr. Regt.), October 17, 1932; Charles M. Sutherland (C.lerk, Co. K, 2nd Nebr. Regt.), January 3, 1935; John P. Bratt (Col., 1st Nebr. Regt.), June 30, July 5, 1927; Frank D. Eager (Lt. Col., 1st Nebr. Regt.), June 30, 1927; Nebraska State Journal, May 16, 1898.

15Jnterview, C. F. Scharman (Major, 3rd Nebr. Regt.), October 17, 1932; Haywarid Letter, loc. cit., April 7, 1933; Report of the Adjutamt General of Nebraska, 1899-1900, p. 738 (Mulford Letter); Nebraska State Journal, May 12, June 25, 1898; Lincoln Evening News. May 12, 1898.

16Nebraska State Journal, May 11, 13, 15, 17, 1898. 17£-incoln Evening News, May 19, 1898. 18Nebraska State Journal, May 17, 18, 1898. 19Report of the Adjutant General of Nebraska, 1897, 1898, pp.

87-89.

144 NEBRASKA HISTORY

of the Spanish-American War. This one had once been a race track with a pond in the center, now filled with .sand. Major Stotsenburg wrote that "we are in a very sandy, disagreeable camp and the sand and dirt is quite a contrast to our Lincoln camp, and rain and cold weather still pursue us."20 The place, nameless at first, was soon christened Camp Merritt for General Merritt who com­manded the Army of the Pacific. It was located four mile~ west of the main part of the city, a mile east of the ocean and immediately north of Golden Gate Park. Other regi­ments came and the Third Provisional Brigade was formed, including the Tenth Pennsylvania, the First Colo­rado and the First Nebraska. Battalion drills were con­ducted on Presidio Hill. A hewy schedule was maintained but the men managed to find time to see the .sights of San Francisco and make acquaintances there.21 Orders came to recruit the regiment to 106 men to the company but these "rookies" did not join the others until Novem­ber 25, in Manila.22

The men were already getting restless when an order came to break camp on June 14. The "Gallant First" was cheered lustily as it marched through the city. Bands played, whistles were blown and guns fired. It was a gala day in "Frisco." Delicacies were showered upon the men and the Red Cross served an elegant supper just as they boarded the Senator.23 This vessel, built for coastal trade, had normal accomodations for 577 passengers. Changes were made to provide for 572 additional passen­gers and a crew of 69. There were now on board 1,023 officers and men together with the crew.24 Needless to say the journey to the Far East proved to be a most un­comfortable voyage. Just before sailing Private Clay M.

20Nebraska State Journal (Letter to governor's private secre­tary, Benton Maret), June 5, 1898.

21lbid., June 2, 5, 6, 1898. 22Report of Adjutant General of Nebraska, 1897-1898, p. 94;

Nebraska State Journal, June 14, 1898; Annual Report of the War Depa1·tment for 1898, Part 2, p. 380.

23Nebraska State Journal, June 20, 1898; Report of Adjutant General of Nebraska, 1897-1898, pp. 97, 98.

24Jbid., p. 109; Report, Secretary of War for 1898, p. 174.

FIRST NEBRASKA IN THE PHILIPPINES 145

McCoy was tried by court-martial for disorderly conduct and striking an officer. He was convicted and dishonor-· ably discharged.26 However, he .stowed away on the Sena­tor but was put ashore at Honolulu. Only one desertion is on record in the First Nebraska, that of Private J. B. Kelley in San Francisco. Seven men were left in the hos­pital and Captain John G. Painter, Company M, resigned because of ill health.2 6 ,

General Greene was in command of the expedition, the second to leave for the Philippines. It was made up of four ships, the China, the Zealandia, the Colon and the Senator; and sailed without armed escort June 15. There were 158 officers and 3,428 enlisted men on board.27 Sea­sickness soon caught up with many of them. G. E. Towl, who wrote for the Nebraska State J ourool, had this com­ment: "Words fail to express in even slight degree the utter and abject horror of these two or three days of sickness when 1,000 men paid tribute to Neptune with wrenchings and travail which spoke of untold wretched­ness." The first toll of the regiment came when, after six days, Sergeant George Geddes of Beatrice died of spinal meningitis. He was buried at sea with full military honors, a touching ceremony that made a lasting impres­sion on the men. 2 8

. The transports arrived in Honolulu about 10 P. M., June 20 and were serenaded by an official band playing popular American airs. Five days were spent in Hawaii, day.s long remembered. The first day ashore the troops were given a royal reception which, because of the "an­nexation spirit," was especially enthusiastic. A sumptuous

2 5Report of Adjutant General of Nebraska, 1897-1898, pp. 95, 110; Interview, Colonel Bratt, July 6, 1927.

26Report of Adjutant General of Nebraska, 1897-1898, p. 104. 27/bid., p. 95; Interview, John W. Kelso (Pvt., Co. A, 1st Nebr.

Regt.), June 22, 1927; Interview, Bratt, July 5, 1927; House Docu­ment No. 2, 55th Congress, 3rd Session, p. 269.

28Nebraska State Journal, July 11, 12, 1898; Report of Adjutant General of Nebraska, 1897-1898, 100, 101; Interview, 0. W. Meier (Pvt., C. H, 1st Nebr. Regt.), June 22, 1927; Interview, P. James Cosgrave (Capt., Co. I, 1st Nebr. Regt.), June 30, 1927.

1

146 NEBRASKA HISTORY

feast was served by the ladies of the city. Music was fur­nished by the former queen'.s band.

At 1 o'clock the whole expedition of over 3,000 men gath­ered in the beautiful grounds of the former queen's palace. Long tables under canvas awnings had been laid with the most sumptuous and appetizing dinner imaginable. All the natural wealth of this semi-tropical isle had been called to lend its fruits to the occasion. The tables were loaded with meats, breads and cakes, with bananas, oranges, mangroves, figs, dates, cocoanuts, pineapp.les and grapes. There were pies and cake, coffee, soda waters and ginger ale with cigars to top it all, but best and chiefest were the attentions and hospi­talities of the ladies. They covered the boys with flowers and badges, with love words inscribed upon them. They welcomed them, bade them have good heart and fight well and hoped that one flag might soon float over all.29

The remainder of the voyage was extremely un­pleasant. Much of the fresh food spoiled, the refriger­ating mechanism broke down and the condenser stopped functioning, necessitating a water allowance. Ocean water was used for bathing and laundering. It was very warm and the cramped quarters added to the misery. Short hair became a "must" fo.r all and woe to the objector. Time was passed with card playing, "shooting craps" and reading. Wake Island was sighted the morning of July 4, a low, sandy place with scant vegetation and unin­habited. General Greene went ashore with a party, a flag pole was erected and the Stars and Stripes hoisted. At noon that day forty-five guns were fired by the Colon, one for each state in the Union. A patriotic program was held on the Senator in the afternoon. One soldier wrote home that it was the driest Fourth he had ever celebrated, yet it was wet all around. A few days later Guam came in view but no stop was made. The expedition was fortun­ate in two respects, no storms or Spanish ships were en­countered.30

29Nebraska State Journal (Towl letter), July 12, 1898, (0. W. Meier letter), August 30, 1898.

BOinterviews, Bratt and Eager, June 30, 1927; Interview, Meier, June 22, 1927; Report of Adjutant General of Nebraska, 1897-1898, pp. 106-112; Cecil Jack (Pvt., Co. M, 1st Nebr. Regt.), Pocket Diary. The writer has personally examined this diary. An excellent des­cription of the voyage from Honolulu to Manila appears in the "Diary of a Soldier," Nebraska State Journal, August, 28, 1898. Also, Colonel Bratt's account in the same newspaper, September 29, 1898.

FIRST NEBRASKA IN THE PHILIPPINES 147

The battleship Boston met the transports two days out o.f Manila Bay which place was reached about 9 A. M., July 17. The scene that met the eye is aptly described in the diary o.f Colonel Bratt's orderly, Private Cecil Jack:

As we steam toward Cavite I can see broken boilers, sunk­en ships with masts protruding from water, andi battered forts, all wrecked. Our (Dewey's) fleet salutes us. A few miles to the northeast can be discerned the foreign fleets of Germany, Englan,d and Japan and others, floating majesti­cally just outside of M'anila, which place :ooms up magnifi­cently in the morning sun. A battle is in progress between the Insurgents and Spaniards which we are informed is a daily occurrence. The discharges of artillery can be seen and sound made thereby, ,distinctly heard.31

Dewey's .fleet, which had won its smashing victory May 1, was leisurely awaiting the arrival of sufficient land forces before opening an assault on Manila. The Philippine Insurgents under Aguinaldo were encamped outside that city ready to wreak vengeance on the Span­iards at the first opportunity. The necessity of occupying the city and keeping out the Filipinos provided a tickli.sh situation for the American commanders. The Spaniards seemed to be in a mood to surrender after a "token re­sistance" to make it look better with the Madrid Govern­ment, but they feared an uncontrolled native force. The Filipinos were determined to have a hand in the occupa­tion and were fast becoming angered at the Americans. They feared, with considerable justification, that their liberators would prove to be new masters.32

The Nebraska regiment disembarked about four miles south of Manila at a place they named Camp Dewey but popularly known as the "Peanut Patch." It was a low area and the rainy season had just started. The "dog" tents afforded inadequate protection from the heat and rain. One soldier wrote: "Dust blown at Lincoln, .frozen in San Francisco, scorched in Honolulu and half drowned

31Jack, Diary, p. 21. 32R. A. Alger, The Spanish-American War (New York, 1901),

pp. 326-333; House Document No. 2, 55th Congress, 3rd Session, pp. 47, 48.

148 NEBRASKA HISTORY

before Manila, we begin to think that we have stood all the trials in the category." Almost a month was to pass before the general advance was to be made on Manila. In the meantime a certain amount of maneuvering and de­sultory fighting took place. There were ten casualties in the regiment, one man (Private William F. Lewis) was killed and nine others wounded. 33

On August 7, General Merritt, in charge of land forces, and Admiral Dewey notified the Spanish Captain­General that land and naval operations would begin any time after forty-eight hours. The harbor was cleared of foreign vessels and non-combatants began to leave the city. A formal demand for surrender was made and re­jected August 9.34 Plans now went forward for the attack. Firing was directed on the Spanish forts by Dewey at 9 :30 A.M., August 13, followed shortly by a battery under General Arthur MacArthur. Forty-five minutes later Merritt ordered an advance.35 The Nebraskans' position was along the beach where they marched in water from knee to neck deep. The sea wall lay between them and the rest of the advancing army. The water got deeper and deeper but shortly they found an opening in the wall , that led to the English Club grounds. Turning right they ! came upon a road leading to the walled city. Here Colonel · Br.att met General Greene and was ordered to concentrate · the regiment, throw out an advance guard and proceed cautiously. They were under fire and it appeared that it would be necessary to fight their way in but .soon a white flag was seen on the wall. Some firing continued, due to the "trigger-happy" Insurgents who persisted in taking a hand in the fracas. Colonel Bratt was next ordered to drive back a group of natives congregating on the Lunetta (a wide avenue encircling a part of the city) so he formed two companies who, with fixed bayonets, forced them to

33Nebraska State Journal (Lewis S. Ryan letter), August 29, 1898; September 6, 1898; Report o I Adjutant General o I Nebraska, 1897-1898, pp. 114-116; House Document No. 3, 55th Congress, 3rd Session, pp. 65, 66.

34House Document No. 2, 55th Congress, 3rd Session, pp. 3-7. 35Alger, op. cit., pp. 336, 337.

FIRST NEBRASKA IN THE PHILIPPINES 149

retreat. One battalion of Nebraska men was left to stand guard while the other two crossed the Bridge of Spain, spanning the Pasig River, and entered the north part of the city known as New Manila and outside the wall.36

General Greene had entered the city with a Spanish escort about one o'clock and his headquarters' flag was raised at the palace amid a great demonstration. It is claimed that the Nebraska troops were the first to enter the city, another claim to a "first." American casualties in the assault and capture of Manila were five killed and forty-three wounded. The First Nebraska came through without a loss and without firing a shot, though it was under fire most of the time.37 This land and naval attack is one of the few instances in American military history that worked exactly as planned, due chiefly to the feeble re­sistance of the enemy and the presence of Dewey's guns. Credit, however, should be given to the "thorough recon­naissance that had been made" and the careful preparations for executing the plan.38 Telephonic and te1egraphic com­munication was established and maintained "not only be­tween headquarter.s and the commanding general, and his detached commands and depots, but as the army moved for­ward the signal corps carried into advanced trenches its lines, and repaired them under fire, whereby communica­tion was maintained throughout the campaign."39

The surrender of Manila came just one day after the signing of an armistice with Spain, the news of which had not yet reached the combatants in the Philippines. The First Nebraska was assigned to garrison duty, guard-

30information relative to the entry of the First Nebraska is drawn largely from interviews with Colonel Bratt, June 30, July 5, 1927; Lieutenant Colonel Eager, June 30, 1927, October 10, 1932; and with Captain William B. Oury (Co. B, 1st Nebr. Regt.), Novem­ber 10, 1932. A full account is found in Nebraska State Journal, September 28, 1898. Also, see correspondence of H. B. Taylor (Pvt., Co. L, 1st Nebr. Regt.), in Omaha World Herald, October 23, 30, 1898. Jack, Diary, pp. 45-53, gives an account.

37Alger, op. cit., p. 340; Interview, Bratt, June 30, 1927. 3SMatthew Forney Steele, American Campaigns, War Document

No. 324 (Washington, 1909), I, 62,6, 627. 39House Document No. 2, 55th Congress, 3rd Session, p. 878

150 NEBRASKA HISTORY

ing the water front and some of the most valuable prop­erty in the Binondo district. The streets were dirty, the water supply had been shut off, food was becoming scarce and business houses had been closed for some time when the Americans took control. Within three days order was esbhlished and business resumed as usual.40 The regi­ment remained in Manila until early December when it was removed to Santa Mesa, the most eastern suburb of the city. The change was made for sanitary reasons as many were suffering from various illnesses.41 The daily routine became tiresome and the complaints were numer­ous. Letters written home during this period would fill several volumes. All followed the same theme: "We want to go home!" The men felt that their mission had been accomplished and that garrison duty was for the regular army. The following jingle called the "New. Version" is indicative of their feelings:

Our father who art in Washington McKinley is thy name;

I wish you'd come with a fleet of ships And take us home again.

We've done all we bargained for, And are sure 'twould be a treat

To be taken back to old Nebraska, Our loved ones there to greet.

The weather here is kind of hot, And a trying on the brain,

And then, the way they've fed us Would give any man a pain.

Hard-tack, rice and mule meat, With salmon on the side,

Would drive most anyone to drink, Or get a hobo's hide.

I guess I'll bring this to a close; The thought drives me insane,

But I'll know enough to stay there If I get home again.

40Nebmska State Journal (Captain Herpo.lsheimer letter), Oc­tober 3, 1898; (0. W. Meier letter), October 17, 1898; Interview, Kelso, op. cit., June 22, 1927; Interviews, Bratt, Cosgrave and Eager.

41Annual Report of the War Department, 1899, Part 2, 93, 94; Nebraska State Journal (Surgeon General Snyder report), January 8, 1899.

FIRST NEBRASKA IN THE PHILIPPINES 151

We've done what we enlisted for­Remembered well the Maine:

We freed the Filipinos And whipped hell out of Spain.

Humanity I'll fight for still, But keep it in your pate,

The fighting I do when I get home Will be in my dear old State.42

Colonel Bratt tendered his resignation September 27, apparently because of illness, and recommended Major Stotsenburg as his successor, jumping Lieutenant Colonel Colton who was next in line. Bratt declared Colton was not properly qualified. Lieutenant Colonel Eager states that "it was for the good of the regiment" that Bratt resigned for although he was a "fine gentleman, he was not possessed of the military knowledge that Stotsenburg had."43 Two telegrams were sent to Governor Holcomb asking that the regiment be mustered out, one by Stotsen­burg October 5 (in response to a query by Governor Hol­comb), and another the next day by a group of officers. These stated: "Officers and men assuming war over want to go home. Military condition, good; health, poor" and '>'Regimetnt voted unanimously for muster-out. Health poor, sickness increasing." The best the Governor could do was secure the discharge of enough men to reduce each company to eighty men. These disabled soldiers left on the transport Ohio. It is claimed that some of these were "mentally disabled," let out for the good of the regiment. Judging from the thunder they made on their return the charges were not far wrong. Recruits, who sailed from San Francisco August 21, arrived in N ovem­ber and were assigned to the various companies.44

The camp at Santa Mesa was a muddy place at first but soon became a model site. Situated on a knoll, sur­rounded by rice fields gently sloping toward the Pasig

-12The Nebraska Independent, March 2, 1899. 43Report of Adjutant General of Nebraska, 1897-1898, p. 120;

Nebraska State Journal, November 3, 1898. 44Report of Adjutant General of Nebraska, 1899-1900, pp. 786-

793, 889, 891-893; Nebra.ska State Journal, October 6, 7, 10, 14, December 11, 1898. ·

152 NEBRASKA HIS'TORY

and San Juan rivers, it was really a pretty place. There was no crowding and sanitary conditions were the best obtainable. 45 Here the troops were put through rigid training which seemed unnecessary at the time, but the importance of which was soon to be apparent. Here they spent Christmas, and though the packages from home had not arrived, a rather enjoyable day was spent in eating, playing baseball and football and having an all­around good time. Stotsenburg's strict training was con­tinued and the regiment developed into a strong organi­zation.46 Relations with the Insurgents grew more strained each day pending the making of a final peace with Spain. When the terms were made known and independence for the Filipinos was not included, an outbreak of the restless soldiers under Aguinaldo appeared imminent. The native troops had long been excluded from Manila and its sub­urbs. Reinforcements continued to arrive from the United States. General E. S. Otis succeeded General Merritt as military governor and two divisions were created Octo­ber 14. The First Nebraska formed part of the Second Brigade of the Second Division. This division was com­manded by General MacArthur and Brigadier General Irving Hale was in charge of the Second BrigadeY

Armed Filipinos constantly irritated the Americans who found it increasingly difficult to hold their tempers and their fire. Strict orders had been given to avoid all contacts with the native soldiery.48 The Filipinos were getting the idea that the Americans were cowards and afraid to fight. They would say: "Mericans heap eat, heap sleep, much hip, hip; no fightee."49 Aguinaldo had trenches constructed around Manila. Efforts to make terms with

45The First Nebraska in Camp and Field (Crete, Nebraska, n. d.). A popular account written by First Nebraska men.

' 46Qmaha World Herald, April 30, May 7, 1899; Nebraska State Journal, February 10, March 2, 16, 1899: Karl Irving Faust, Cam­paigning in the Philippines, Operations of the First Nebraska (San Francisco, 1899), p. 12.

47Annual Reports of the War Department, 18.99, Part 2, pp. 6-10, 20. 40-44.

48Jbid., pp. 88, 92. 49Nebraska State Journal, November 8, 1898.

FIRST NEBRASKA IN THE PHILIPPINES 153

him failed. A commission made up of both parties sat in Manila from January 9 to 25 without coming to an agree­ment. In the meantime Aguinaldo established a "capital" at Malolos just north of Manila where he was "pro­claimed president, captain-general and everything else" according to the Manila papers. He had received much encouragement from abroad and believed the majority of the people of the United States .sympathized with him. However, he wanted to withhold attack by his troops until he was better prepared and hoped that if hostilities

· began the Americans would strike first, thus branding them as aggressors. 50

He did not have long to wait. On the night of Febru­ary 4 an insurgent approached an American picket, Pri­vate William Grayson of Beatrice, Nebraska, 150 yards within the American lines and refused to halt or answer when challenged. Grayson fired and the Philippine In­surrection was under way. The Filipinos opened fire on Camp Santa Mesa but mo.stly empty tents received the volleys since the regiment immediately took positions pre­viously agreed upon. Early next morning the N ebra.skans threw off another attack and then advanced, taking a powder magazine and the Deposito, a reservoir that sup­plied water from the Maraquina River, was taken by a force which included the First Nebraska. This position, five miles beyond the American lines, was a danger spot but a line of communication was kept open. Some of the pumping machinery had been hidden by the guerrilas but was found under a pile of coal and rapidly reassembled. Within two days Manila was receiving its regular water supply. In this early fighting Stotsenburg was placed largely on his own initiative. The telegraphic communi­cation was practically worthless since the brigade was stretched out for three miles over bamboo thickets and rice fields. 51 The Colonel sprained his knee in a buffalo pit

50Annual Reports of the War Department, 1899, Part 2, pp. 77-83, 88-95.

51/bid., pp. 45, 92, 97, 100-102, 424, 425, 452, 453, 462-467, 472; Alger, op. cit., pp. 356-358.

154 NEBRASKA HISTORY

but persisted in remaining in the thick of the fight. "Limping, crawling, leaning upon a soldier or an officer, he saw everything, planned and had the battle won while the men swore by their fighting colonel."52

There was much unrest in Manila among the natives. Secret societies had plans to burn the more important business sections as soon as the troops left for the field. Attempts were made at least twice, with some succe.ss, but the military police soon had order restored. 53 The Fili­pinos found that the Americans operated differently than the Spaniards. The latter fought chiefly at night and from trenches, the former advanced by rushes and fought day and night through all kinds of weather.54

The First Nebraska remained on duty in the water­works area through February and early March. They had several sharp clashes during this time. At the be­ginning of hostilities there were 37 officers and 866 men in the regiment. Of this number six were killed and 39 wounded. The unit was relieved March 14 and took up a position three miles northeast of Manila until the northern campaign started March 25. New troop,s arrived and a general reorganization took place. Three brigades were now attached to both divisions. The Nebraskans continued as part of the Second Brigade of the Second Division. The total number of men available for field operations was 11,780. The First Nebraska had 31 officers and 808 men ready for action. The army advanced along an eight­mile line, the Nebraskans on the extreme right wing. This relative position was kept during mo.st of the campaign and since a circular movement was followed, the regiment was like a runner in the outside lane of a race track, tra­velling a greater distance than other units. The terrain over which they fought was covered with bamboo jungles

52 Nebraska State Journal (Towl letter), March 21, 1899; The Nebraska Independent, M.arch 23, 1899.

65Annual Reports of the War Department, 1899, Part 2, pp. 93, 99, 110, 426.

54lnterview, Cosgrave, July 25, 1927. 55Annual Reports of the War Department, 1899, Part 2, pp. 110,

422, 426, 469-487; Part 3, pp. 441-481; Faust, op. cit., pp. 19-24.

FIRST NEBRASKA IN THE PHILIPPINES 155

and there were many other hazards. 56 General Hale made this observation at a later date:

This advance of the Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota regiments (especially Nebraska, which, on account of its po­sition an,d orders travelled farther than the others) through swamps knee to waist deep and numerous stagnant, mud­bottomed esteros waist to neck deep, under oppressive heat and in the face of a galling fire, driving the enemy from entrenched positions, which would have been strong without these natural obstacles, and with them would have been im­pregnable if held by American troops, may fairly be considered the most remarkable exhibition of persevering pluck and en­durance during the campaign.57

The first objective was Malolos, the rebel capital twen­ty miles ~wav. ·where stron": opposition was expected. Se­vere fighting took place at the village of San Francisco del Monte where Captain Lee Forby and Sergeant Walter Poor were killed and fourteen others wounded. Another stubborn fight occurred at Meyauayan where part of the regiment went to the aid of the Dakotans. Farther ahead at Marilao a large force was routed and chased for two miles. It wa.s during this engagement that General Hale remarked: "There go those Nebraskans again, and all hell couldn't stop them." Only feeble resistance was encountered at Malolos where the whole American line advanced, crescent­lilie, and enveloped the city. Aguinaldo had moved his capital to San Isidro, thirty miles to the northeast. The attempt of the fleeing guerrilas to burn and destroy met with little success due to the rapid advance against them. Stotsenburg reported from Malolos that the regiment's casualties were eight killed and eighty-two wounded during the campaign and .sixty-five miles were covered in six days over difficult country. as

The First Nebraska was in or near Malo los for twen­ty-two days. The next move was planned for April 24 but unforeseen developments advanced the date. A .scouting

56Annual Reports of the War Department, 1899, Part 3, pp. 377-379, 453-468.

57Jbid., p. 478. 58Jbid., pp. 391-393, 453-468 (Reports of MacArthur, Hale and

Stotsenburg).

156 NEBRASKA HISTORY

party, April 23, found itself almost surrounded by a well organized force armed with Mauser rifles. Reenforcements, including a battalion of Nebraskans commanded by Cap­tain Julius N. Kilian, were sent to the rescue. Colonel Stotsenburg was in Manila and Major Harry B. Mulford was temporarily in charge. After an advance was made General Hale ordered Mulford to withdraw his men so that the artillery might open fire. Mulford contends he followed his instructions but Stotsenburg arrived about this time and apparently not cognizant with Hale's plans, gave an o.rder to advance. He believed someone had blun­dered in ordering a withdrawal. Leading his men in person a successful but costly charge was made. They met a withering fire resulting in four deaths, including Stotsen­burg's, and thirty were wounded.59 Major James F. Bell paid this tribute to the gallant colonel:

In justice to his memory, I wish to pay an especial tribute to this fearless, brave, gallant soldier, for, as soon as he arrived, he placed himself in front of his regiment and with hat in one hand and pistol in the other, led it against the trenches of the Insurgents, routing them completely. It was solely ,due to this gallant act that we won the fight so promp­tly after his arrival, for the Insurgents did not appear to have been shaken until our advance began.eo

This battle of Quingua forced the enemy across the river of the same name. It was probably the most stubborn fight the First Nebraska had during the Insurrection.

It seems proper, at this point, to relate some devel­opments at home revolving around Colonel Stotsenburg.61

While the various units of guardsmen were doing their part on the several "fronts," the people back in Nebraska were following events with considerable interest. There appeared to be a widespread feeling that the "boys" were being mistreated. One of the most publicized incidents was the "Stotsenburg Case." This gentleman of proved

59 Ibid., pp. 398-400, 468-473, 580-582; Faust, op. cit., p. 32; First Nebraska in Carnp and Field, p. 132.

GOAnnual Reports of the War Department, 1899, Part 3, p. 582. 61Full accounts of Stotsenburg's career are given in the Ornaha

World Herald and the Nebraska State Journal, April 24, 1899.

FIRST NEBRASKA IN THE PHILIPPINES 157

military ability came in for abuse right from the start, especially for his insistence on discipline.62 Even while a major he was charged with having undue influence over Colonel Bratt. A series of charges developed against him, ridiculously trivial when taken separately; but in the aggregate they made Stotsenburg appear to be a vicious and brutal officer.63 There was no censorship and the men, in their letters home, wasted few words in pouring out their feelings until the charges loomed large in the public's eyes. It was not, however, until Stotsenburg was made colonel that the full wrath of public opinion crys­tallized. It was really a "tempest in a teapot." The crux of the matter was that he used strong, disciplinary mea­sures to whip a poorly trained outfit into a fighting unit. This was in too sharp a contrast to earlier procedures. He had, perhaps, been a bit overzealous, but the results could not be denied.

The first outburst came when friends of Company L (Thur:ston Rifles) of Omaha held a meeting and drew up a series of charges. These were published and copies sent to the legislature, then in session. They demanded action against this "tyrannical" officer. The legislature pro­ceeded, forthwith, to debate the matter and after some delay voted resolutions calling for an investigation by the War Department.64 This agency, in response to the re­quest, carried out an investigation but with considerable difficulty, for by this time the Insurrection had broken out and the men were in the field. The seventeen charges all fell flat, and many who had condemned Stotsenburg ear­lier, now saw that his methods were responsible for the high degree of efficiency of the regiment as well as for re-

62Louise Pound, ed., The University of Nebraska, 1869-1919. Semi-Centennial Anniversary Book (Lincoln, 1919), p. 55.

63Report of Adjutant General of Nebraska, 1899-1900, pp. 703, 710-715; Nebraska State Journal, January 8. 1899.

64Nebraska House Journal, 1899, pp. 267, 268, 276-279; Nebras­ka Senate Journal, 1899, pp. 220, 233, 234, 239, 240; Omaha World Herald, January 14, 24, February 4, 1899; Report of Adjutant Gen­eral of Nebraska, 1899-1900, pp. 785-793; Nebraska State Journal, February 4, 1899.

158 NEBRASKA HISTORY

ducing battle casualties.65 The upshot of the whole im­broglio was an attempt to right wrongs and "take back" the charges. The legislature "rescinded" and "expunged" from the records the premature resolutions but only after two previous efforts had failed. 66 Close on the heels of this action word came of the Colonel's heroic death on the battlefield. His body was returned to Lincoln and after an elaborate funeral procession it lay in state at the Capitol. Services were then held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. The remains were finally laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery. 67 The "Stotsenburg Case" reveals, most vividly, difficulties faced by the military men of the time.

Lieutenant Colonel George P. Colton was offered the colonelcy following Stotsenburg's death but rejected it since he was detached from the regiment and in charge of Philippine customs. Major Mulford, next in line, ac­cepted the appointment made by Governor Poynter, the new Populist state executive.68 The next advance in the campaign was in a northwesterly direction toward Puli­lan and this straggling village was reached about noon, April 24. After a three hour rest the march wa.s resumed. Shortly, the enemy was encountered and dislodged at a place called Legundi where the troops continued west­ward, fording the forks of the Quingua and Calumpit rivers and coming out on the west side of the latter stream. The Insurgents were next driven north through Calumpit which place they burned before retreating.69 The troops rested here for eight days, April 26 to May 3, before making another advance. The brigade, made up of Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska men, moved out, May 3, to

65Report of Adjutant General of Nebraska, 1899-1900, pp. 714-786; Interview, Eager, June 30, 1927.

66Nebraska Senate Journal, 1899, pp. 820, 836, 837, 989, 990; Nebraska House Journal, 1899, pp. 1198, 1199.

67Nebraska State Journal, April 24, May 28, 1899. 6BReport of Adjutant General of Nebraska, 1899-1900, pp. 931,

932; Nebraska State Journal, April 26, 1899; Omaha World Herald, April 27, 1899.

69Annual Reports of the War Department, 1899, Part 3, pp. 469-476.

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FIRST NEBRASKA IN THE PHILIPPINES 159

Apalit and thence over a so-called wagon road toward Santo Tomas and San Fernando. This forward movement was made under most trying circumstances through swamps and across streams against constant enemy fire. It took four days to make the twelve-mile distance. 70

San Fernando marked the end of the trail for the First Nebraska. Thirteen days were spent here doing outpost duty, resting up and speculating on the next move. The regiment, now reduced to about 300 through sickness, heat exhaustion and casualties, received orders to return to Calumpit. It was a welcome assignment even though they had to march, . heavily loaded, through the hot sun. Here they boarded a train for what they thought would be Manila, but were sidetracked three miles short of that city. Shortly, the men were quartered in bamboo barracks at Malate about four miles from Manila. Some outpost duty was done, the companies alternating in this work.71

Orders came, June 16, relieving the First Nebraska from service in the Philippines. G. E. Towl writes in this con­nection:

The welcome orders came in providential season. It would have been suicidal to have kept the men with health and strength undermined through the rainy season. Once the excitement of the campaign was over, a dangerous relaxation followed. The sick report increased appallingly, doctors were in despair. Nearly every man in the regiment was afflicted. Malaria, dysentery, typhoid, acute indigestion, adobe itch, tropical ulcers, plant poisoning, added their burden to spirits on the ebb, and constitutions run down. Doctors, when they dar~d speak, charged the deplorable conditions to weeks of campaigning with no change of clothes, overwork, bad food and no food. In the advance upon Malolos and San Fernando the men fought. slept, swam rivers and struggled through swamps in one suit which they wore upon their backs ... At last a cure came, the tonic of tonics, the order to leave. The authorities did not care to have a dead regiment on their hands.72

There were many, however, who would not return home for the losses were heavy. More men were killed

70Jbid., pp. 407, 409, 477-481 (Reports of MacArthur, Hale and Mulford).

71Interview, Cosgrave, July 19, 1927. 72Qmaha World Herald, July 23, 1899; Nebraska Independent,

July 27, 1899. ·

160 NEBRASKA HISTORY

and wounded in the First Nebraska than in any other regi­ment, regular army or volunteer, during the entire period of the Spanish-American and Philippine wars, including both the Cuban and Porto Rican campaigns. Between August 2 and 13, 1898 one was killed and nine wounded. From February 4 to June 30, 1899, twenty were killed in action and 168 wounded making ·a total of 198 casual­ties.73 Fourteen of the wounded died and twenty-nine suc­cumbed from disease and other causes putting the total number of deaths from all causes at sixty-four, three of­ficers and sixty -one enlisted men. 74

It was a happy group, the forty-two officers and 812 enlisted men, who, together with a Utah organization, .sailed out of Manila Bay aboard the Hancock, July 1. This ship was a commodious vessel equipped with the latest con­veniences in marked contrast to the Senator on which they had come.75 Sailing via Formosa to Japan, they reached Nagasaki harbor July 5, having spent another Fourth of July at sea. Five days were spent here, two more than planned because of a severe storm. Passing through the Inland Sea, past Kobe and into the Pacific, they reached Yokohama, July 13. A two-day stop was made and many took the hour's ride by rail to Tokyo. They weighed an­chor, July 15, and proceeded across the Pacific by the northern route. A storm caused some discomfort, but otherwise nothing particularly eventful happened on the voyage. The lights of the Golden Gate appeared the even­ing of July 30, a sight never to be forgotton. The regiment disembarked, August 1, and marched through the city to a camp near the Presidio. The welcome by the crowds was even warmer than when they left more than a year before. Governor Poynter, Congressman W. T. Stark and

73Annual Reports of the War Department, 1899, Part 1, pp. 386, 387.

14Proceeding of the United States Spanish-American War Vet­erans, 1925, p. 55 (Furnish€!d by Adjutant General of the United States and compiled by 0. W. Meier); Descriptive Book of the First Nebraska (Colonel Mulford's Report), in Office of the Adjutant General of Nebraska.

75Annual Reports of the War Department, 1899, Part 1, p. 382; Part 2, pp. 171, 215.

FIRST NEBRASKA IN THE PHILIPPINES 161

Adjutant General P. H. Barry were on hand to greet them. 76

Twenty-three days were spent in camp before the men were mustered out of service. This stay was rather pleasant since military discipline was greatly relaxed, but, even so, camp life had grown tiresome and they were glad to be free of it. In addition to his pay, clothing al­lowance, and travel money to the place of enlistment, each man received two months' extra pay when mustered out. The regiment assembled at Oakland, August 25, and board­ed special trains provided by the generosity of the people of Nebraska. Colonel Mulford joined the Thirty-Ninth United States Infantry regiment as a major and remained in San Francisco. Lieutenant Colonel Frank D. Eager had charge of the First Nebraska on its return to Lincoln and that city was reached, August 30, in a "blaze of glory" according to the press. 77 Several companies had left en route and only about half the personnel were present for the reception.

It was a gala day in Lincoln, a second Fourth of July. Whichever way one looked down town he beheld a broad vista of street and rows of buildings in holiday attire ... From early in the morning the sidewalks were alive with people. Country people and city, all were out in their best, and! all were expectant and all were eager and all were walking. It seemed impossible for them to be idle. . . . Lincoln had never turned out with such enthusiasm.78

Omaha was in its second year of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition and was anxious to accord the men a "wel­come home." The soldiers were offered the "key" to the city and their fares paid if they would come to. Omaha. Some accepted, but most of these veterans of the Philip­pines were more anxious to return home to loved ones than attend receptions and accept free entertainment.79

76Report of Adjutant General of Nebraska, 1899-1900, pp. 4-7; The Valley (Nebraska) Advocate, August 4, 1899; Interview, Cos­grave, July 14, 1927.

77Qmaha World Herald and Omaha Bee, August 1-25, 1899; Nebraska State Journal, August 1-31, 1899.

7BJdem. 79Jbid., August 31, 1899.

162 NEBRASKA HISTORY

The travels of the "Fighting First" were ended. The "boys" had come home. A new chapter was added to the history of the state.